Patent Application
20210276402
The present invention relates to a vehicle roof assembly with retractable sunvisor comprising a vehicle roof structure, a headliner, and a retractable sunvisor.
Sunvisors are widely used in vehicles as an essential part to shade the vehicle users occupying the front seats from the glare coming from the sun or from the other vehicle lights.
Normally, sunvisors are pivotally attached to the vehicle roof through the headliner in order to allow them adopting two positions, a stowed position in which the sunvisor rests against the headliner main surface, and a frontal use position in which the sunvisor faces the vehicle windshield and shades the glare coming through said windshield.
Optionally, the sunvisor can be configured to adopt a lateral use position in which it shades the glare coming from the side windows. In order to do this, the sunvisor comprises two attachment points to the roof structure, one fixed and another one removable to allow folding the sunvisor to the side window.
To support the normal efforts on the sunvisor during the vehicle life, mainly resulting from its handling, it is required specific structural attachments to a structural part of the vehicle roof.
Between the stowed position and the frontal use position the sunvisor can adopt any intermediate position. Some of them imply a high risk of injuring the head of the vehicle occupant and consequently it compromises his/her safety.
Thus, the different angular positions adopted by the sunvisor during its rotational movement exposes the vehicle occupant head to several critical points in which there is a risk of head impact.
Therefore, one of the main drawbacks of the conventional sunvisors described above is related to the safety of the vehicle occupants.
In order to overcome said drawback, it is known retractable sunvisors which are stowed and hidden in a space available between the roof structure and the headliner.
Thus, retractable sunvisors can adopt a stowed position when the sunvisor is inside said space, an intermediate position when the sunvisor is outside said space and it is ready to be rotated, and an frontal use position in which the sunvisor adopts the shading position in such a way it protects the vehicle occupant from the glare coming through the windshield.
In order to move the retractable sunvisor from the stowed position to the frontal use position, firstly the sunvisor goes out sliding inside the space available between the roof structure and the headliner until it reaches the intermediate position. Said space has to be enough to allow the sliding movement of the sunvisor from the stowed position to the intermediate position. According to this intermediate position the sunvisor is close to the windshield.
Secondly, once the sunvisor is outside of said space, it can be rotated from said intermediate position being the retractable sunvisor close to the windshield, in order to adjust its angular position according to the relative position between the occupant eyes and the glare coming through the windshield, that is the frontal use position.
In this way, the rotational movement to adjust said angular position of the sunvisor between the intermediate position in which it is close to the windshield, and the use position, it is prevented any injuring risk position of the occupant head. Therefore, this kind of retractable sunvisors does not compromise the occupant safety.
Normally retractable sunvisors comprise an assistance device for assisting the sliding movement since its poor accessibility for the occupant due to the fact they are stowed in the space between the headliner and the roof structure.
Some known examples of the above described retractable sunvisors are the Japanese patents JP5012098 and JP4858188.
Said particular examples describe assistance devices being located just below the front cross beam which forms part of the roof structure and which are attached to the lower side of said cross-beam.
Normally the roof structure of a vehicle is formed by several structural beams surrounding the perimeter of the vehicle roof which form the chassis, and a roof sheet covering said structural beams, all together forming the vehicle bodywork.
Particularly the structural beams comprise among others, a front cross-beam, and two side longitudinal beams. All of them are extended from the roof sheet to the vehicle interior occupying a space in the z direction of the vehicle.
Since the assistance device comprises bulky parts, when they are located just below the front cross-beam, as the above mentioned examples describe, said bulky parts added to the space needed for allowing the sliding movement of the sunvisor, requires placing the headliner in a lower position reducing in this way the available room of the interior vehicle.
Thus, this is the main drawback of the sunvisors described in JP5012098 and JP4858188.
In order to overcome said drawback, it is known the Japanese patent JPH02200518 which describes a retractable sunvisor which is completely housed inside the front cross-beam.
However, this configuration implies a radical modification of the front cross-beam and thus of the chassis architecture and its behavior, what implies the modification of the structure of the vehicle which normally is not allowed by the vehicle manufacturers.
Other known solution in order to overcome the drawback related to the available room of the vehicle interior, it is to house the assistance device, or at least the bulkiest part of this, which often is an electric driver, or an assistance coil-spring shaft and its housing, just behind the front cross-beam, allowing to place the headliner closer to the roof structure in such a way that the needed space for the sliding of the sunvisor screen is minimized, and consequently the available room of the vehicle interior is maximized.
The assistance device, and particularly its bulkiest part, has to support either, driving forces, during the operation of the assistance device, and inertial forces, which affect the structural behavior of the whole assembly.
Therefore, the main challenge in this case comprises how to attach the bulkiest part of the assistance device in order to keep the structural stability of the assembly.
In view of the disadvantages mentioned above, the object of the present invention is a vehicle roof assembly with retractable sunvisor which does not penalize the available room of the vehicle interior, and at the same time it is conveniently attached to the roof structure in order to keep the structural stability of the whole assembly, avoiding noises and rattles, and ensuring a proper working of the whole assembly.
The present invention is established and characterised by the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe additional features thereof.
Throughout the description, terms such as “x direction”, “y direction”, “z direction” “ZX plane”, “ZY plane”, “front”, “rear”, “above”, or “below” are used.
The x, y and z direction refer to the main directions commonly used to reference a vehicle, namely x direction refers to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle corresponding to the direction of travel of the vehicle, y direction refers to the transverse direction of the vehicle, and z direction refers to the height direction of the vehicle.
The ZX plane and the ZY plane correspond to the planes formed according the directions above described.
The positions front and rear correspond to the relative positions of the vehicle parts along the x direction.
The positions above and below correspond to the relative positions of the vehicle parts along the z direction.
The above defined terms refer to a case in which the vehicle roof assembly with retractable sunvisor of the present invention is in use, that is when the vehicle roof assembly with retractable sunvisor is assembled in a vehicle.
Due to the particular configuration of the sunvisor being hidden between the roof structure and the headliner, the appearance of the headliner is not impaired due to the presence of the sunvisor when they are not in use.
Due to the way in which the sunvisor is rotated between the intermediate position in which it is close to the windshield, and the frontal use position, there is no risk of injuring the head of the vehicle occupant and consequently his/her safety is not compromised.
Due to the non-movable part of the assistance device for the sliding movement, particularly the bulkiest part of the assistance device is just behind the front cross-beam, and above the lowest point of the front cross-beam in the z direction, it is possible to minimize the space required to allow the sliding movement of the sunvisor screen assembly taking into account the total thickness of the assembly in the z direction. In this way the room of the vehicle interior is not penalized.
Due to the particular configuration of the attachment means, and more particularly its definition by at least three attachment points to the front cross-beam, it is possible to transmit the forces generated, particularly at the area in which the non-movable part of the assistance device is attached, directly to the roof structure, in such a way that the structural behaviour is kept during the use of the assembly, particularly during the working of the assistance device in such a way that noises and rattles are avoided and the proper working of the assembly is ensured.
The present specification is completed by a set of figures that illustrate a preferred embodiment and in no way limit the invention.
Throughout the text only one retractable sunvisor (1) configuration is described, however the invention considers both, an option in which the vehicle roof assembly (10) comprises only one retractable sunvisor (1) according to the technical features described, or an option in which the vehicle roof assembly (10) comprises two retractable sunvisors (1) according to the technical features described for one of the retractable sunvisors (1), one retractable sunvisor (1) in correspondence with the driver position and other retractable sunvisor (1) in correspondence with the co-driver position.
Particularly, the vehicle roof structure (2) comprises a front cross-beam (2.1), a longitudinal side beam (2.2), a roof sheet (2.3), and a windshield (2.4).
In addition to the above described parts, the vehicle roof structure (2) also can comprise other common parts such as a middle cross-beam placed at the central portion of the roof sheet (2.3) and a rear cross-beam placed at a rear side of the roof sheet (2.3).
The front cross-beam (2.1) comprises an elongated profile which is lengthwise extended substantially in the y direction at the front part of the vehicle roof structure (2), defining two ends along the y direction. The thickness of the front cross-beam (2.1) is extended in the z direction.
The front cross-beam (2.1) can comprise an only profile or a combination of several parts configuring a structural element.
Additionally, it can comprise a profile having at each end an additional sheet needed in some cases depending of the vehicle architecture to connect the front cross-beam with the side longitudinal beams (2.2).
In any case, the front cross-beam (2.1) is able to withstand the forces transmitted by the elements forming the retractable sunvisor (1), particularly the assistance device (1.2.5) described in detail below.
The longitudinal side beam (2.2) comprises an elongated profile which is lengthwise extended substantially in the x direction from one of the ends of the front cross-beam (2.2). The thickness of the longitudinal side beam (2.2) is extended in the z direction.
The roof structure (2) comprises two longitudinal side beams (2.2). Each of said longitudinal beams (2.2) is extended substantially in the x direction from each of the ends of the front cross-beam (2.2). However, to explain the invention it is only necessary one of them, the corresponding to the side of the roof structure wherein the retractable sunvisor (1) is located, particularly one of the longitudinal side beam (2.2) affects to the retractable sunvisor (1) corresponding to the driver, and the other longitudinal side beam (2.2) affects to the retractable sunvisor (1) corresponding to the co-driver.
In all the cases the longitudinal side beam (2.2) comprises a profile formed by one or several parts joined together being able to withstand the forces transmitted by the elements forming the retractable sunvisor (1), particularly the assistance device (1.2.5) described in detail below according to one of the embodiments of the invention.
The roof sheet (2.3) is the element which covers the front cross-beam (2.1) and the longitudinal side beam (2.2). Additionally, it covers all the necessary structural components to configure the vehicle roof structure (2).
The roof sheet (2.3) comprises a front side (2.3.1), wherein the front cross-beam is connected and at which the windshield (2.4) extends downwards, a rear side (2.3.2) opposite to the front side (2.3.1) and two lateral sides (2.3.3) wherein the side longitudinal beams (2.2) are connected.
The roof sheet (2.3) can be made from metal, plastic, glass, composite material or from any combination thereof.
The windshield (2.4) comprises a transparent component through which the glare coming from the sun or from the vehicles in front reaches the vehicle occupant eyes.
The second main part which forms the vehicle roof assembly (10) is the headliner (3). It covers the vehicle roof structure (2) and it provides the decorative finishing of the vehicle roof assembly (10).
It comprises a first side (3.1) facing the vehicle interior (5), and a second side (3.2) facing the vehicle roof structure (2).
It can comprise several layers and materials forming its structure, including a decorative layer or finishing facing the vehicle interior (5).
It also can comprise an opening (3.3.1) in correspondence with its front side (3.3) configured to allow the exit of the sunvisor screen (described below) from a space (4) formed between the headliner (3) and the roof structure (2) to the outside of said space (4).
Said opening (3.3.1) can be replaced by providing a gap between the headliner (3) and the windshield (2.4) enough to allow the exit of the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1).
The space (4) formed between the headliner (3) and the roof assembly (2) as
Said space (4) is divided into a front room (4.1) that is closest to the windshield (2.4) and being just between the front cross-beam (2.1) and the headliner (3), and a back room (4.2) which is furthest from the windshield (2.4), and wherein said space (4) configures an empty space being between the vehicle roof structure (2) and the headliner (3).
The third main part which forms the vehicle roof assembly (10) is the retractable sunvisor (1). It is the element of the assembly (10) responsible to protect the vehicle occupant from the glare coming through the windshield (2.4).
As
The sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) is configured to move according to a sliding movement between a stowed position A in which the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) is inside a space (4) formed between the headliner (3) and the roof sheet (2.3), and an intermediate position B in which the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) is outside of said space (4) and it is close to the windshield (2.4) in such a way it is ready to be rotated in order to adopt a frontal use position C; and once the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) is outside said space (4), the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) is configured to move according to a rotational movement between the intermediate position B, and the frontal use position C in which the vehicle occupant is protected from the glare coming through the windshield (2.4). Between the intermediate position B and the frontal use position C, the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) can also adopt several positions.
The sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) can comprise a sole component, or according to the configuration represented in the
In either case, the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) can comprise any kind of screen, such as a conventional opaque screen formed by a plastic structure having a decorative finishing, or it can comprise a dimmable screen having electrically adjustably transparency. Said dimmable screen can be a screen equipped for example with suspended particle devices (SPDs), or liquid crystals (LC), or polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal devices (PDLCs), in which the transparency can be adjusted by the application of a voltage.
In addition, the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) can comprise a display screen for presenting any kind of information, such as text, images, or both. The sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) can also comprise a projectable surface wherein any kind information can be projected by a projector. In such particular cases the retractable screen (1) in which the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) comprises a display screen or a projectable surface, it could be assembled to other cross-beams of the vehicle roof structure, such as a middle cross-beam.
The sliding mechanism (1.2) is the part configured to provide the sliding movement and the rotational movement of the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1).
Preferably, the sliding movement is carried out in a direction substantially parallel to the x direction, and the rotational movement is carried out around an axis fp which preferably is substantially parallel to the y direction. As
The two side guides (1.2.1) are configured to allow the sliding movement of the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1). The side guides (1.2.1) are preferably extended in a direction substantially parallel to the x direction.
The side guides (1.2.1) can comprise a plastic or metallic profile configured to allow the sliding movement.
The two side guides (1.2.1) can be connected to the side portions (1.3.1) of the structural frame (1.3), or they can directly form the side portions (1.3.1) of the structural frame (1.3).
The sliding beam (1.2.2) is configured to slide between the two side guides (1.2.1).
The sliding beam (1.2.2) is connected to the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) in order to said sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) can also be moved between the two side guides (1.2.1).
The sliding beam (1.2.2) has two side ends (1.2.2.1, 1.2.2.2). Each of these ends (1.2.2.1, 1.2.2.2) is connected to a slider (1.2.3) in order to allow the sliding movement of the sliding beam (1.2.2). In this way each of the sliders (1.2.3) is slidable movable in the corresponding side guide (1.2.1) to provide the sliding movement.
In order to allow the rotational movement of the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) when it is at the intermediate position B, the sliding mechanism (1.2) comprises rotational means (1.2.4, 1.1.3).
The rotational means allow the rotational movement of the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) with regard to the sliding beam (1.2.4) in order to adopt a frontal use position C.
The rotational means can comprise for example two rotation links (1.2.4) connected to the sliding beam (1.2.2) wherein two frontal protection shafts (1.1.3) provided in the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) are rotatable connected. According to a case not represented, the rotation links (1.2.4) could be provided in the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) and the frontal protection shafts (1.1.3) could be provided in the sliding beam (1.2.2).
In the particular case represented in the
The rotational links (1.2.4) house the spring (1.1.8) in charge of providing the sunvisor screen's (1.1.1) predefined working positions.
According to an optional configuration of the invention, when the sunvisor screen (1.1.1) is at the frontal use position C, it can be rotated laterally in order to adopt a lateral use position D in which the sunvisor screen (1.1.1) shades the glare coming through the side windows (20), as
The lateral rotational movement is carried out through a lateral protection shaft (1.1.4) having an axis 1p substantially perpendicular to the fp axis. The lateral protection shaft (1.1.4) and the frontal protection shafts (1.1.3) form an integral part of a single unit, according to the particular configuration represented in the
According to said particular configurations represented in
In order to keep a fixed position of the sunvisor screen (1.1.1) relative to the sunvisor screen support (1.1.2), the sunvisor screen (1.1.1) can comprise a fixing element (1.1.6), which collaborates with a counter fixing element (1.1.7) provided in the sunvisor screen support (1.1.2) and being in correspondence with the fixing element (1.1.6) as
Any of these fixing elements, the fixing element (1.1.6) and the counter fixing element (1.1.6), can comprise magnets, clips, or other known fixing means commonly used to fix the position of the sunvisor screen according to the frontal use position C.
This particular mechanism designed to adopt the lateral use position D brings additional advantages in comparison with the mechanisms provided in the conventional non-retractable sunvisors which are pivotally attached to the vehicle roof.
It is because when the vehicle occupant moves a non-retractable sunvisor screen in order to adopt the lateral use position D, it is common to pull the sunvisor screen downwards. Said downwards movement exerts torque forces on the L-shaped shaft of the non-retractable sunvisor screen, both at the vehicle roof attachment point and at the sunvisor screen attachment point, which can cause the malfunction of the sunvisor.
However, the particular mechanism designed to provide the lateral movement of the sunvisor screen (1.1.1) of the present invention avoids damaging the mechanism during the downwards movement of the sunvisor screen (1.1.1) because the sunvisor screen (1.1.1) is capable to rotate around the axis fp during this lateral movement before reaching the lateral use position D of the sunvisor screen (1.1.1) avoiding any damage caused by torque forces.
The assistance device (1.2.5) is linked to the sliding beam (1.2.2) and it is configured to assist the sliding movement of the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) since the sliding beam (1.2.2) is connected to the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1).
In this way, the assistance device (1.2.5) allows automatizing at least one of the sliding movements of the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) between the stowed position A and the intermediate position B wherein the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) is close to the windshield (2.4), either during the opening movement, that is when the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) moves from the stowed position A to the intermediate position B, as
In these cases, the corresponding non-automatized movements are carried out manually by the vehicle occupant.
Additionally, the invention considers the case in which both movements, the opening movement and the closing movement are automatized by the assistance device (1.2.5), as the
The assistance device (1.2.5) comprises at least a non-movable part (1.2.5.1). It means that said non-movable part (1.2.5.1) does not move when the sliding movement of the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) is carried out.
The non-movable part (1.2.5.1) is the bulkiest part of the assistance device (1.2.5).
Particularly the non-movable part (1.2.5.1) is housed in the back room (4.2) of the space (4) formed between the headliner (3) and the roof structure (2) which is just behind the front cross-beam (2.1), in such a way that, in use, the lowest point S of the front cross-beam (2.1) according to a section in any plane XZ crossing the non-movable part (1.2.5.1) of the assistance device (1.2.5) is below, along a Z direction, the lowest point R of the non-movable part (1.2.5.1) of the assistance device (1.2.5) according to the same plane XZ crossing the non-movable part (1.2.5.1) of the assistance device (1.2.5).
The term “in use” used in the previous paragraph means that the vehicle roof assembly with retractable sun visor is assembled on a vehicle, and said vehicle rests on a horizontal surface.
As
Particularly, the
The assistance device (1.2.5) represented in the
According this particular case, both the opening movement and the closing movement of the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) are automatized.
The first end (11.1) of the movable coil-spring (11) is attached to the winding shaft (12) and the second end (11.2) of the movable coil-spring (11) is attached to a front area of the structural frame (1.3).
According to this particular case, the winding shaft (12) and the storage space (13) for the movable coil-spring are attached to the sliding beam (1.2.2), and the solenoid (14) configures the non-movable part (1.2.5.1) of the assistance device (1.2.5) being the bulkiest part of it.
Therefore, said solenoid (14) is connected to the back supporting area (1.3.2) of the structural frame (1.3) described below.
The assistance device (1.2.5) according this particular variant of the invention, allows automatizing the opening movement of the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1). Therefore, the closing movement is carried out manually by the vehicle occupant.
In this particular case, the assembly formed by the winding shaft (16) and the storage space (17) for the coil-spring (15), configures the non-movable part (1.2.5.1) of the assistance device (1.2.5) being the bulkiest part of it.
Therefore, said assembly is connected to the back supporting area (1.3.2) of the structural frame (1.3) described below.
This particular assistance device (1.2.5) allows automatizing the closing movement of the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1). Therefore, the opening movement is carried out manually by the vehicle occupant.
Regarding the rotational movement of the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1), that is, the movement of the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) between the intermediate position B and the frontal use position C, it can be carried out either manually by the vehicle occupant, or automatically by a follower-cam mechanism represented in the
According to the particular configuration represented in the
Particularly,
The last part which forms the retractable sunvisor (1) is the structural frame (1.3).
It is the part of the retractable sunvisor (1) responsible to connect the sliding mechanism (1.2) and the sunvisor screen assembly (1.1) to the vehicle roof structure (2) and to transmit the forces generated mainly at the area in which the non-movable part (1.2.5.1) of the assistance device (1.2.5) is attached, directly to the roof structure (2).
The structural frame (1.3) comprises:
Taking into account the above mentioned parts of the structural frame (1.3), it can comprise for example a plate as
The structural frame (1.3) comprises attachment means (6) of the retractable sunvisor (1) to the vehicle roof structure (2) in order to transmit the forces generated mainly during the operation of the assistance device (1.2.5) to the vehicle roof structure (2).
Particularly the attachment means (6) comprise at least three attachment points to the front cross-beam (2.1), two of them being in the front edges (1.3.1.1) of the side portions (1.3.1), the so-called front attachments (6.1), and one of them being in the back supporting area (1.3.2), the so-called back attachment (6.2).
This particular configuration allows enough supporting of the retractable sunvisor (1) in use, particularly as consequence of the forces generated by the assistance device (1.2.5) due to the structural configuration of the front cross-beam (2.1).
Regarding the attachment means (6) the invention consider several options, as
According to the option represented in the
Particularly the front attachments (6.1) are configured by fixing means which connect directly the front edges (1.3.1.1) of the side portions (1.3.1) to the front cross-beam (2.1). Said fixing means can comprise metal staples, screws, plastic clips or magnets.
According this particular case, the back attachment (6.2) is placed at the middle portion of the back supporting area (1.3.2).
It comprises a s-shaped plate which allows connect the back supporting area (1.3.2) being away from the front cross-beam (2.1) to said front cross-beam (2.1).
In this way it is possible two stablish a structural connection between the back supporting area (1.3.2) and a structural part of the vehicle roof structure (2), namely the front cross-beam (2.1).
According to the option represented in the
As the option represented in the
The back attachments (6.2) are placed at the ends of the back supporting area (1.3.2).
They comprise s-shaped plates which allow connect the back supporting area (1.3.2) being away from the front cross-beam (2.1) to said front cross-beam (2.1).
In this way it is possible two stablish a structural connection between the back supporting area (1.3.2) and a structural part of the vehicle roof structure (2), namely the front cross-beam (2.1).
According to the option represented in the
According to this particular option the front attachments (6.1) are configured by fixing means which connect directly the front edges (1.3.1.1) of the side portions (1.3.1) to the front cross-beam (2.1). They also can comprise metal staples, screws, plastic clips or magnets.
As the option represented in the
Particularly, the first back attachment (6.2.1) is connected to the front-cross beam (2.1) either directly, or by the middle roof console frame (7.1), that is, the first back attachment (6.2.1) before reaching the front-cross beam (2.1) it passes thorough an opening provided in the middle roof console frame (7.1).
The second back attachment (6.2.2) is connected to the side longitudinal beam (2.2) either directly or by the side handle (8), that is, the second back attachment (6.2.2) before reaching the side longitudinal beam (2.2), it passes thorough an opening provided in the side handle (8).
The election of the attachment option mainly depends on the vehicle roof architecture, that is, its curvature, the positions and size of the structural elements such as the front cross-beam (2.1) and the side longitudinal beam (2.2), etc.
According to a particular embodiment of the invention represented in
According to this embodiment the structural frame (1.3) is preferably attached to the second side (3.2) of the headliner (3) by adhesive.
According to another particular embodiment of the invention not represented, the roof structure (2) comprises a sunroof. In this particular case, the headliner (3) can be divided into two parts, a frontal decorative part, called header, and the headliner as such provided around the sunroof. In this case the frontal decorative part and the retractable sunvisor (1) are joined together in such a way they form a modular frontal decorative part configured to be mounted to the vehicle roof structure (2) as a sole component.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20382164 | Mar 2020 | EU | national |
